Falmouth rides depth to SMAA golf championship
Falmouth Navigators Edge Cheverus to Secure SMAA Qualifier Spot
Vassalboro, Maine — Thursday, October 5, 2026
The 10‑hole Tomahawk course at Natanis Golf Club in Vassalboro played host to the Southeast Maine Association of Academics (SMAA) Class A qualifier this week. Falmouth High School’s golf team, the Navigators, finished with a 304 aggregate, a full nine strokes ahead of the defending champions, Cheverus Stags, who posted 313. With the win, Falmouth earned a berth in the Class A championship scheduled for Friday, while Cheverus will look to reclaim the title in the upcoming tournament.
A Team‑wide Performance
The Navigators were led by freshman Dante Iannetta, who shot a 73, and senior transfer Sawyer Hebert, who posted a 75. Both were among six Falmouth players who broke 80 for the day, a feat that underscored the squad’s depth. Victor Keefer recorded 77, while Alex Novick, Griffin Jacobsen and Anthony Graceffa all finished with 79.
“I’m 100 percent confident we have a lot of depth this year,” Iannetta told reporters after the round. “Monday showed it. We’ve got to do it one more time.” He added, “Be happy with it but go through, find where you lost shots.” The sophomore’s comments echo the team’s goal: reclaim the SMAA championship they last won in 2024.
Falmouth’s coach, A.J. Simokaitis, praised the players’ starts. “They all got off to good, solid starts,” he said. “In years past, whether it’s nerves or whatever it might be, you have one or two guys throw in a big number early in the round. This gave them a little peace of mind, a little cushion.” Simokaitis also noted the importance of the team’s collective resilience in a sport where individual mishaps can derail a group’s aspirations.
Hebert, who arrived at Falmouth after a standout senior season at North Yarmouth Academy, spoke of the experience. “I was just setting myself up, I wasn’t going for anything,” he said. “Falmouth is really competitive golf. I was No. 7 at the beginning of the year and I needed to work really hard to get up there.” His 75, one of the lowest scores on the leaderboard, highlighted his rapid improvement.
Cheverus Stays Competitive
Cheverus, the Class A defending champion, was not far behind, with medalist Sam Sirois recording a 71 and Keane McGrath 74. Sirois made six birdies, including a notable 25‑foot putt on the 13th that rolled in and prompted a one‑handed shrug. “Hitting-wise, it wasn’t great, so the putter saved me a lot today,” he said. “I made a lot of 5‑ and 4‑footers today, that’s big for me.”
Cheverus was unable to match Falmouth’s early momentum, but the Stags’ individual performances were strong. Joe Stratman shot 81, while Mike Ray finished at 87.
Other Teams in the Field
Other schools that secured Class A berths through the qualifier include Thornton Academy Trojans (325), Gorham Rams (336), Deering Rams (337), and South Portland Red Riots (338). While the Trojans, Rams and Red Riots posted higher totals, the Navigators’ consistent sub‑80 scores gave them a competitive edge.
On the Arrowhead side, the Class C conference qualifier produced three teams that advanced to the Saturday championships. Winthrop Ramblers, the MVC titleholders, posted 331, with Jack Fontaine taking the lead at 74 and Josh Herzing 84. Madison Bulldogs finished 345, led by Colton Pelletier’s 79. The third qualifying team was the Maranacook Black Bears, who finished 332 with Fontaine’s 74 again the top score.
Winthrop’s Drew Mertzel, who earned the 2025 Class C championship title, highlighted the importance of teamwork. “It’s very important to score well, especially with me not playing well as our No. 1,” he said. “It helps the team’s confidence a lot. If someone’s not having a good day, our team’s there to back us up.” Mertzel’s 83 was the team’s second‑best score, behind teammate Lincoln MacArthur’s 78.
Individual Qualifiers
Individual qualifiers were also announced across the state, with players from Portland, Bonny Eagle, Noble, Windham, Thornton, Scarborough, Westbrook and others earning spots in the upcoming tournaments. In the SMAA, notable qualifiers included Max Schaffer (Portland, 79), Jacob Willey (Noble, 81) and Hunter Pulkkinen (Windham, 81). From the MVC, Chris Johnson (Kents Hill, 78)
